Bifurcated textile tubes and method of weaving the same



Aug. 5, 1958 J. B. SIDEBOTHAM 2,845,959

BIFURCATED TEXTILE TUBES AND METHOD OF WEA-VING THE SAME Filed March 26, 1956 INV NTO J04 5. Grazia #0 BY QM ATTORNEY United States Patent BIFURCATED TEXTILE TUBES AND METHOD OF WEAVING THE SAME John B. Sidebotham, Philadelphia, Pa. Application March 26, 1956, Serial No. 573,744 13 Claims. (Cl. 139-387) This invention relates to bifurcated textile tubes and a method of weaving the same, and it relates more particularly to tubes adapted for use in surgical operations, namely, for the replacement of certain diseased or damaged arteries.

'It frequently happens that arteries ofhuman beings and other animals become diseased or injured whereby replacement of the same becomes necessary. It has been found particularly diflicult to replace such arteries with artificial tubing "at locations such, for example, as where the aorta branches into the iliac arteries, or in similar conditions in a living body wherever a larger artery branches into two smaller ones.

In such locations, Where the branching of the arteries occurs, it is desirable that the cross-sectional area of the two tubes beyond the branching shall be substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the large or main tube, as otherwise differences in pressure and flow would occur in the tubes.

-It has been found by actual experimentation that woven tubes may be used in which the warp and weft are made of certain of the modern plastics, the various surgical operators, however, preferring yarns of diflferent materials, and it therefore follows that the particular yarn employed in the carrying out of the present invention is not an essential feature thereof, although in the use of certain of the plastic yarns which are available and adaptable, advantage may be taken of the inherent characteristics thereof, such for example, as the known heatfusibility of nylon and various other plastic yarns.

The principal difliculty encountered in attempts to make woven bifurcated tubes for arterial replacements arises out of the desirability of the elimination of distortion, such as bulging or constriction, at the place of branching from a larger tube into two smaller ones.

The principal object therefore of the present invention is to provide seamless woven textile bifurcated tubes which are particularly adaptable for use as artificial arteries employed by surgeons for the replacement of diseased or damaged arteries at places where a larger tube branches into two smaller ones.

A further object of the invention is to provide woven bifurcated tubes to serve as arterial replacements in which there will be no objectionable bulging or constriction at the place where an artery branches from a single larger tube to two smaller tubes.

A further object of the invention is to provide bifurcated arterial replacements of the character aforesaid, in which the cross-sectional area of the small tubes beyond the branch will be substantially equal to that of the crosssectional area of the main tube when said tubes are distended in use.

The nature and characteristic features of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a portion of a biapproximately one-half 2,845,959 Patented Aug. 5, 1958 furcated woven textile tube made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. l, but with a portion of a branch tube raised at the place of bifurcation for the purpose of illustrating a preferred manner of sealing at the bifurcation to prevent leakage at that "location;

Fig. 3 is a view also somewhat similar to Fig. 1, illustrating another form of sealing means at the place of branching;

Fig. 4 is a schematic or diagrammatic cross section illustrating the manner of weaving the main tube;

Fig. 5 is a similar view illustrating the manner of weaving at the place where the bifurcation occurs; and

Fig. 6 is a similar view illustrating the manner of weaving the branch tubes beyond the bifurcation. I

-It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawing herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes may be made in the structure'and method disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawing, there is there shown a portion of bifurcated tubing woven in accordance with the present invention, which consists of a larger or main tube 11, branching into two smaller tubes 12 and 13. It should be understood that, for the best results, the cross-sectional area of the larger tube 11, when distended, should be substantially equal to that of the combined cross-sectional area of the branch tubes 12 and 13, when distended, and for this purpose it will be found that the number of warp ends in the larger tube will be proportioned to the number of warp ends of each of the smaller tubes in a ratio of approximately 10 to 7. i

As the warp ends in the main tube 11 are necessarily less than the number used in the branch tubes 12 and 13, there will, during the weaving of the main tube 11, be an excess of warp ends which may be internally floated during the weaving of the main tube.

The main tube 11, as well also as the branch tubes 12 and 13, are each woven in a manner similar to that used for weaving pillow cases and other tubular fabrics. the simple form of such weaving, it is Well known that at least two sheds must be formed, and one shed contains the other shed, thereby to avoid inclusion of two warp ends between the successive crossings of the filling at one side during the weaving.

"In the weaving of the present product, at least two shuttles are required, which are used in a manner to be presently explained. in the weaving controls would be The filling inserted in the weaving of the main tube 11 is designated S this filling also being used in the weaving of a closure tab 26, and one of the branch tubes, whereas the filling inserted by the other shuttle is designated as S the same "being used for the Weaving of another closure tab 27, and the other branch tube.

Each of the branch tubes is thus woven by a separate shuttle as indicated in Fig. 6 of the drawing, during the weaving of which the warp ends which have been floated during the weaving of the main tube 11, are subdivided, going into one of the branch tubes, and the other half going into the other of the branch tubes.

For the proper formation of the fabric as above set forth, it is necessary in the weaving that portions of the tubes 12 and 13 should overlap to the extent of the width in the shed of the warp ends which are internally floated duing the weaving of the main tube 11.

During the weaving of the tubes it is preferable for the connection with the weaving 3 manipulation of the warp to use at least twelve harness frames, although it is possible to use a different or larger number.

A careful consideration of Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawing will make clear the manner in which the weaving may be accomplished.

It is, of course, well known that in the weaving of tubular fabrics such, for example, as pillow cases and the like, at least four harness frames must be employed, as two separate sheds must be successively formed for the alternate passage of the shuttle therethrough, and there should be one more warp end in one shed than in the other shed as, otherwise, there would be two warp ends included between successive crossings of the filling at one of the sides during the weaving.

As hereinbefore set forth, in the weaving of bifurcated tubes in accordance with the present invention, a greater number of warp ends are required in the branch-tubes 12 and 13 than in the main tube 11, and consequently, there will be .an excess of warp ends during the weaving of the main tube 11, which warp ends are internally floated during the weaving of the main tube 11.

The warp ends which are floated during the weaving of the main tube 11, at the branching of the single tube into the two branch tubes, are subdivided to form two separate sheds, each interwoven with filling threads S and S supplied by the several shuttles, this being done for the purpose of more effective sealing, and for preventing leakage. The feed of the loom is stopped for about ten picks at the time the floating threads above referred to are being interwoven with the filling at the branching.

' Referring now more particularly to Fig. 4 of the drawing, which illustrates diagrammatically the weaving of the main tube portion 11 of the fabric at which time one set of warp ends 14 is controlled by one harness frame, and another set of warp ends 15 is controlled by another harness frame to form successive sheds for weaving the portion of the top cloth at the center and left end. Another set of warp ends 16 is controlled by another harness frame, and a corresponding set of warp ends 17 is controlled by another harness frame to complete the weaving of the top cloth of the main tube 11.

For the purpose of weaving the bottom cloth of the main tube 11 there is provided a set of warp ends 18 and a corresponding set of warp ends 19, each set being controlled by a harness frame for the purpose of successively shedding the same to weave the portion of the bottom cloth of the main tube 11 at the left end of Fig. 4. For weaving the remaining portion of the bottom cloth of the main tube 11, there are provided two sets of warp ends 20 and 21, each controlled by a separate harness frame for successively shedding said warp ends disposed at the center and right end of Fig. 4.

Passing now to a consideration of Fig. 6, which is a diagrammatic illustration of the weaving of the two tubes 12 and 13, it will here be noted that the top cloth of the tube 12 formed by the interweaving of the filling S from one of the shuttles with the warp ends 14 and 15. The left portion of the bottom cloth of tube 12 is formed by the interweaving of said filling with the warp ends 18 and 19.

The remaining portion of the bottom cloth of tube 12 is formed by the interweaving of two sets of warp ends 22 and 23, each controlled by a separate harness frame, with the filling S from the first shuttle which had previously been used for the weaving of the main tube 11.

The other tube 13 is formed in a similar manner, in this instance, the lower cloth being formed by interweaving the filling S from the second shuttle with the warp ends 20 and 21 hereinbefore described as being used in of the main tube 11. The right end of the upper cloth of the tube 13 is formed by the interweaving of said tle with the warp ends 16 and 17, previously referred to,

filling S from the second shut- '4 which are used in the weaving of the top cloth of tube 11, whereas, the remaining portion of the top cloth of tube 13 at the left end thereof is formed by the interweaving of said filling S with the warp ends 24 and 25 controlled by their respective harness frames.

Referring now to Fig. 5 of the drawing, there is there shown diagrammatically a preferred manner of weaving at the place where the branching occurs. Upon referring to Fig. 5 of the drawing it will be noted that at this place the warp ends 22 and 23 are interwoven with the filling S whereas the warp ends 24 and 25 are interwoven with the filling S thereby providing two separate woven tabs 26 and 27 for a purpose to be presently explained, which tabs are initially disposed interiorly and tightly woven. During the weaving of the tabs 26 and 27, the cloth feed of the loom may be stopped and the tabs 26 and 27 woven during a short run of approximately ten picks.

During the weaving of the main tube 11, the warp ends 22, 23, 24 and 25 are floated interiorly as indicated in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawing. However, in the form of the invention in which the tabs 26 and 27 are woven as aforesaid, the yarns used are preferably of the heatfusible or scalable type, whereby the tabs 26 and 27 may be subsequently fused or joined to each other.

For the purpose of efiecting the sealing by uniting the tabs 26 and 27 to each other, the terminal portions of the warp ends 22, 23, 24 and 25 at the upper end of the tube 11 are tied to each other, whereupon a hook (not shown) may be inserted through the opening between the tabs 26 and 27, and the said warp ends may then be pulled through at the branch to a location between the branch tubes 12 and 13 on the outside thereof, together with the tabs 26 and 27, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. When in this condition the tabs 26 and 27 may be secured to each other by heat-fusing or, if preferred, the tabs 26 and 27 may be joined by a suitable adhesive, or any other means may be used to close the fabric at the place of branching.

After the sealing has been effected, the loose warp ends 22, 23, 24 and 25 may be severed from the tabs, as they are of no use and would be objectionable in the finished structure.

In Figure 3 of the drawing there is illustrated another manner of closing the fabric at the branching place which consists in first turning the main tube 11 inside out, down to the branching and then pairing and separating a number of the loose or floating yarn ends and tying the same, after which the free ends may be severed adjacent the knots 28.

By the foregoing arrangement and method of weaving there is provided a woven bifurcated tube particularly adaptable for surgical use in the replacement of diseased and damaged arteries. Such bifurcated tubes have been found experimentally to be very effective for their indicated purpose.

I claim:

1. A seamless woven bifurcated tubular device in which the total cross-sectional area of the branch tubes, when distended, is substantially the same as the cross-sectional area of the main tube when distended.

2. A seamless woven bifurcated tubular device in which the number of interwoven warp ends in the main tube is less than the total number of warp ends in the smaller tubes.

3. A seamless woven bifurcated tubular device in which the number of interwoven warp ends in the main tube is less than the total number of warp ends in the smaller tubes, and in which the excess ends are interwoven with filling at the place of the branching of the smaller tubes from the main tube.

4. A seamless woven bifurcated tubular device in which the total cross-sectional area of the branch tubes, when distended, is substantially the same as the cross-sectional area of the main tube, when distended, in which. the

number of interwoven warp ends in the main tube is less than the total number of warp ends in the smaller tubes, and in which the excess ends are interwoven with filling at the place of the branching of the smaller tubes from the main tube, and in which certain of the yarns are of the heat-scalable type and are fused at the place of branching.

5. A seamless woven bifurcated tubular device in which the total cross-sectional area of the branch tubes, when distended, is substantially the same as the cross-sectional area of the main tube, when distended, in which the number of warp ends in the main tube is proportioned to the number of warp ends in each of the smaller tubes in a ratio of approximately to 7, and in which the excess ends are interwoven with filling at the place of branching of the smaller tubes from the main tube to provides tabs which are secured to each other.

6. A seamless woven bifurcated tubular device in which the total cross-sectional area of the branch tubes, when distended, is substantially the same as the cross-sectional area of the main tube, when distended, in which the number of warp ends in the main tube is proportioned to the number of Warp ends in each of the smaller tubes in a ratio of approximately 10 to 7, and in which the excess ends are interwoven with filling at the place of the branching of the smaller tubes from the main tube, to provide tabs which are secured to each other at the place of branching.

7. A seamless woven bifurcated tubular device in which the total cross-sectional area of the branch tubes, when distended, is substantially the same as the cross-sectional area of the main tube, when distended, in which the number of warp ends in the main tube is proportioned to the number of warp ends in each of the smaller tubes in a ratio of approximately 10 to 7, and in which the excess ends are interwoven with filling at the place of branching of the smaller tubes from the main tube to provide tabs in which certain of the yarns are of heatsealable type and are fused to provide a closure at the place of branching.

8. The method of weaving seamless bifurcated tubes which consists in using, for the weaving of the main tube, a number of warp ends less than the total number of warp ends in the smaller tubes, and floating the excess ends internally during the weaving of the main tube.

9. The method of weaving seamless bifurcated tubes in which the total cross-sectional area of the branch tubes, when distended, is substantially the same as the cross-sectional area of the main tube, when distended, which consists in using, for the weaving of the main tube, a number of warp ends proportioned to the number of warp ends in each of the smaller tubes in a ratio of ing for a short run with the approximately 10 to 7, and floating the excess ends internally during the weaving of the main tube.

10. The method of weaving seamless bifurcated tubes which consists in floating a plurality of pairs of warp ends during the weaving of the main tube, utilizing certain of the ends which have been floated as aforesaid to form portions of the fabric of each of the branch tubes.

11. The method of weaving seamless bifurcated tubes which consists in floating a plurality of pairs of Warp ends during the weaving of the main tube, utilizing certain of the ends which have been floated as aforesaid to form portions of the fabric of each of the branch tubes, and at the branching of the tubes interweaving the fillwarp ends which are floated as aforesaid, to form tabs for sealing the tubes at the branching.

12. The method of weaving seamless bifurcated tubes which consists in floating a plurality of pairs of warp ends during the weaving of the main tube, utilizing certain of the ends which have been floated as aforesaid to form portions of the fabric of each of the branch tubes, and at the branching of the tubes interweaving the filling for a short run with the warp ends which are floated as aforesaid to provide tabs, securing the tabs to each other, and cutting off the loose portions of the floating ends beyond said tabs.

13. The method of weaving seamless bifurcated tubes which consists in floating a plurality of pairs of warp ends during the weaving of the main tube, utilizing certain of the ends which have been floated as aforesaid to form portions of the fabric of each of the branch tubes, and at the branching of the tubes interweaving the filling for a short run with the warp ends which are floated as aforesaid to form sealing tabs, certain of the yarns employed having heat-scalable qualities, heat-sealing the tabs to each other, and cutting off the loose portions of the floating ends beyond said tabs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 462,040 Fox Oct. 27, 1891 1,062,238 Jennings May 20, 1913 1,095,740 Seidman May 5, 1914 1,794,159 Dinsmore Feb. 24, 1931 2,046,039 Schaar June 30, 1936 OTHER REFERENCES Surgery, 1955, vol. 37, pp. 169 to 171. Surgery, 1955, vol. 38, pp. 68, 69. Annals of Surgery, 1955, vol. 142., pp. 628 to 630. 

